Check here some product updates. If you have questions regarding status post them here.
Drives: UPDATE! - ADDITIONAL INFO 09/19/2008
After some serious brain storming, our drive configuration is determined and set. I have a motor inbound for functional testing, the 3D CAD is being worked on now to enable a prototype to be built for the gear cases and gears.
Here is a product review of the new high tech motors we are using:
Here is a sample image of the new motors. No more images will be posted during development.
 I have been referred to using LokSound for our DCC Sound options. This will be incorporated into the design of the drive for plug and play operations.
UPDATE 10/18/2008
I am still working away on design work. Here are some previews of some in progress stuff. This would be our GP Hood Module and the GMDD Spartan Cab 88" Nose mated to it. The locomotive kit pre-order has been added to the web-site, please lend your support!
I have the cab finished in these two images. It’s going out for prototyping so we should have something tangible for you to see soon.
 Update 10/24/2008 The prototype for the GMDD 88" Spartan Cab is complete. See the results below. They are taken from our supplier and are not as crisp as they should be to enable you to see the detail. The prototype was made using the same files shown above so you can see we have significant progress on our hood modules and cab area. We are able to prototype just about anything so if you have any requirements for design or prototyping, let me know.    Update 12/15/2008
Some 3D CAD in progress for the drive and truck assemblies. We are modeling accurate traction motors before applying them to a truck assembly, slow going but here are a few subassemblies that will be merged into a larger component.
  Update 01/20/2009:
We have a very large photo-etch shipment inbound with restock for many items including revisions on some. Most of our GP based Tread-plate will be restocked with some additional variations. We have more DP 6104 and our new SD45 treads inbound as well. The new hood mounted and NS/SOU bells are among this production.
We are possibly looking at bringing in our clean air room modules this winter. Here is the production ready artwork for the SD40-2 based clean air room. This is a plastic core to which laminate mult-layer photo-etch and plastic components will attach.
  UPDATE 02/07/2009
Our latest batch of photo-etch has arrived, its all packaged up, the shipments will go out on Monday. Thanks for the support, there is a lot of items restocked and new ones too.
Here is the first photo of our new Sergent couplers. This is a rough pre-production sample but you can see it works great. It also features the first scale distance between pilot sheet and striking plate and shank in HO scale for a locomotive.
 UPDATE 02/25/2009
GP40-2 Hood Module 3D CAD
Here are some screen shots showing the injection molded component of our GP40-2 Hood Module. Add on assemblies such as the hood sides are not yet drafted in 3D CAD but are done in 2D CAD. The rear has three forms of headlight. The number-boards are covered by a thin plastic surface that can be removed to model various rear hood configurations. The sand hatches are photo-etched however there are separate knuckle busters that are mounted and spaced in the rear hood for easy assembly. The result will be very realistic. We have photo-etched number-board gaskets, markers and associated details planned for the hood. Mult-layer photo-etch will replicate numerous design features found in the locomotive production for the clean air room sides and hood doors. As you can see in the images below, this hood can also work with our GMDD Wide Cab and replicate a GP40-2(L)W.     GP38-2 (Mid/Late) Hood Module 3D CAD
Here is the 3D CAD for the injection molded component of the Hood Module that covers the mid to late series GP38-2. Please note that only the one part body is shown. The hood sides are cored to accept multilayer photo-etched doors. The knuckle busters are cored in the doors so they will protrude. As you can see, there are additional variations that can be replicated such as the GP38-2W with simple changes to the hood side photo-etch. Also we core the hood at the rear and just behind the walkway duct so you can have lit light enclosures, just like the prototype. The kits come with 0.008" diameter grabs that are the accurate 17" spacing found on locomotives. If you've seen our DP 6157 GMDD NBM Bell or DP 6621 Assorted Marker Lights, the same photo-etched gaskets and markers will be found in this release for use on the rear hood. Numerous dynamic brake options will also be done. The rear hood is cored to accept aftermarket parts from Cannon & Company and our own items. We also have the inside of the radiator screen area designed to be adapted to the early wider variant. An early GP38AC/GP38-2 (Early) Hood Module is planned for an additional release.
   SD40-2 Hood Module 3D CAD
The SD40-2 Hood Module body is shown below. If you are a CPR railway fan, the GP38-2 and SD40-2 both have the three bolt and washer assemblies applied to rear instead of the normal flag holder. Simply shave off the flag holder or bolts according to your prototype. The SD40-2 Hood Module is also able to accurately replicate the SD40-2W's various rear door configurations.
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Product Updates |
Chris, after seriously burning out while trying to build a large layout by myself I'm scaling back to build something more reasonable, more module sized. So hopefully I'm back to Proto87, which brings the question what axle diameters will the drive support, 3/32 or 2mm?
Chuck,
3/32 but I am including P87 compliant wheel sets when the drive is released.
CJH
Hmm, making your own or using NWSL? If you do make your own it would be really cool (if a bit pointless) to include the profile on the inside of the wheel. Might complicate machining but I don't doubt you will find a way....
Chuck.
All of the machining will be sourced to our own supplier and also our own design. The P87 wheel contour has already been modeled based on suggestions from the P87 group. The entire suggested profile was used in the CAD.
CJH
Christopher,
Am I correct in assuming that you have some hood doors already available? I seem to remember talk about them in the past. If so, can you point me to some photos of the assembled part?
Thanks,
Keith-
Okay, I just found hood doors on the Railflyer site and there are no images, so I'm assuming that they are not yet in production.
Keith-
Keith,
I have done an initial run for the hood doors, however they need some reworking. Christopher Slemp has built a sample, he might have images to post, with his imput I have redesigned the system. Its ready for release however the under-frame bracing is next in sequence.
CJH
Yes, I have the hood doors completed, but I didn't have a chance to take any pictures before I left on vacation two weeks ago. I'll be home Monday evening and will try to get some photo's up next week.
Chris